The changes imposed by the pandemic to the Champions League presented the perfect format for CBS to find to broadcast the most important competition in European soccer ahead of schedule in the United States.
Instead of the usual round-trip series for the quarter-finals and semi-finals, UEFA has adopted a quick two-week, eight-team knockout tournament in Lisbon, Portugal, culminating in the final on 23 August.
CBS was not due to start broadcasting European club competitions until 2021 after signing a three-season contract with UEFA last November. But the rights for the remainder of this Champions League season and all of the next season became available last month when Turner opted out of his 2018-21 deal for an exclusive language rights in the United States.
“The audience in the United States for the sport is younger, more diverse, more active on social media,” DeBevoise said.
The competition will be used to power the digital subscription service CBS All Access, which will broadcast all second-tier Europa League and Champions League games. The marquee games will air on the main network and CBS Sports Network.
“I think this property is built for the internet August is a one-elimination tournament and it’s a unique and amazing piece,” DeBevoise said.
Coverage of the Champions League will begin on CBS from August 7-8 with the four second leg matches of the round of 16 not played in March before the competition was suspended due to the worsening coronavirus pandemic.
UEFA announced on Thursday that those matches would be played as usual at the home team’s stadium.
Bayern are the clear favorites to advance after beating Chelsea 3-0 in the first leg in London in February. Manchester City won 2-1 away at Real Madrid, Juventus go 1-0 against Lyon and Barcelona resume 1-1 against Napoli at Camp Nou. Atalanta, Atlético de Madrid, Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain already advanced to the quarter-finals in March.
The focus then shifts to Lisbon with the reduced format that should allow UEFA to complete a competition that was originally due to end in May.
Starting on August 12, the quarterfinals of the Champions League will be played four nights in a row in one-game knockout matches at the local Benfica and Sporting stadiums in Lisbon. The semifinals are on August 18 and 19, and Benfica’s Estadio de la Luz hosts the final on August 23. The entrance of fans to the games will not be allowed.
